Garage and swimming area for yachts, trawlers and the like

ABSTRACT

According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a wet/dry garage for the hull of a marine vessel. The garage includes a compartment defined within the hull of the marine vessel, with a floor below the vessel&#39;s waterline and a ceiling above the waterline. One side of the compartment is a door opening defined in the hull of the vessel. The door opening has a lower edge below the vessel&#39;s waterline and an upper edge above the waterline of the vessel. A door is mounted to the vessel and can be closed to cover the door opening. The compartment contains at least one small boat storage position. The door may be lowered to a position providing sufficient draft that a smaller watercraft can be propelled into or out of the compartment. Preferably the door can be closed to form a watertight seal surrounding the door opening. After closing the door, the water in the compartment is evacuated to lower the smaller watercraft into a storage position. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the door can be lowered to provide a stable swimming platform adjacent the hull. A protective barrier may be mounted to the door/platform around the periphery of the platform to define a safe swimming area for adults or children.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/236,071, filed Sep. 28, 2000, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to marine vessels such as yachts and trawlers, and more particularly to a system and method for loading and unloading smaller watercraft from the marine vessel and providing a defined swimming area adjacent the vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Typically large marine vessels, such as yachts, trawlers, cruise ships and other types of ships, navigate in large bodies of water such as oceans or the Great Lakes. When a marine vessel wishes to stop adjacent to land, unless there is deep-water access adjacent a dock, the vessel must remain in a deep-water anchorage. When this occurs, the vessel then uses smaller watercraft to ferry people and supplies between the vessel and the land. In an alternate scenario, people may wish to use smaller watercraft to travel in a different direction from the larger or “mother” vessel or may wish to use the smaller watercraft for recreation.

[0004] To guarantee that smaller watercraft are available, the mother vessel must bring its own smaller watercraft while travelling. Typically, towing watercraft is difficult, so the watercraft is stored on the deck of the vessel or within the hull. This can occupy premium deck or cargo space. For use, the watercraft are moved from the vessel to the surrounding water using a crane to raise the watercraft from the deck or hull and to then lower it onto the water. Alternatively, the watercraft is launched down a ramp or rail system from a hatch in the hull above the waterline. Such methods of storing and unloading watercraft can be mechanically complex and bulky. Additionally, the people intending to use such watercraft must be lowered into or climb into the watercraft after it has been launched from the vessel, which can be inconvenient or even dangerous in rough seas.

[0005] Further, in temperate zones, people frequently desire to swim in the water surrounding the vessel. Due to the likely depth of the water surrounding larger vessels, there are certain inherent dangers for swimmers, such as children or swimmers who encounter difficulties such as fatigue or muscle cramps. There can also be concerns in unconfined areas regarding undesired objects such as sharks, jellyfish, other boats or flotsam.

[0006] Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved method of loading, storing and unloading watercraft from a marine vessel. Additionally, there is a need for a system to provide a safe swimming area adjacent the hull of a vessel. The present invention addresses these concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a wet/dry garage for the hull of a marine vessel. The garage includes a compartment defined within the hull of the marine vessel, with a floor below the vessel's waterline and a ceiling above the waterline. One side of the compartment is a door opening defined in the hull of the vessel. The door opening has a lower edge below the vessel's waterline and an upper edge above the waterline of the vessel. A door is mounted to the vessel and can be closed to cover the door opening. The compartment contains at least one small boat storage position.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment the door is mounted to a horizontal hinge adjacent the floor of the compartment and the door and can be opened and lowered to a horizontal position below the waterline of the surrounding water. The door is mounted and lowered to a position providing sufficient draft that a smaller watercraft can be propelled into or out of the compartment. Preferably the door can be closed to form a watertight seal surrounding the door opening. After closing the door, the water in the compartment is evacuated to lower the waterline within the compartment, lowering the smaller watercraft into a storage position. The watercraft may be launched by reversing these steps.

[0009] In an alternate preferred embodiment, the door can be lowered to a horizontal position below the surrounding waterline to provide a stable swimming platform adjacent the hull. A protective barrier may be mounted to the door/platform around the periphery of the platform to define a safe swimming area for adults or children. The safe swimming area can be outside of the hull or may optionally extend into the garage. Preferably, when the platform is not in use the protective barrier is removed and the door/platform is raised and stored flush against the hull.

[0010] It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method of loading and unloading smaller watercraft from a marine vessel.

[0011] It is an alternate preferred object of the present invention to provide a system for providing a swimming platform and safe swimming area adjacent to the hull of a vessel.

[0012] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side, cut-away view of a garage compartment in the hull of a marine vessel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2A is a view of the compartment illustrated in FIG. 1 with the compartment door in an open position.

[0015]FIG. 2B is a cut-away view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the door operating system illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the compartment illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a top, cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of a garage compartment.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a rear view of the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a rear view of a further alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated device, and further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are herein contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0022] One feature of the present invention is a wet/dry drive-in garage compartment for marine vessels such as yachts, trawlers, cruise ships and the like. This feature has been developed for the yachting and cruising industry to conveniently allow smaller watercraft such as secondary motor launches that are normally set on decks and launched by deck-mounted cranes to now be driven into or out of a boathouse/hanger/compartment located in the hull of the vessel, with sufficient water depth to allow for the draft of the smaller watercraft during ingress and egress.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a compartment 20 is defined within the hull 10 of a marine vessel. The hull 10 has a deck surface 12 and a bottom surface or keel 14. Hull 10 has opening 46 which forms one side of compartment 20. Compartment 20 is defined with a ceiling 42 and a floor 44. Floor 44 extends below the vessel's waterline and ceiling 42 extends above the waterline.

[0024] Door 16 is mounted to hull 10 preferably adjacent the lower edge 47 of opening 46. Door 16 includes interior surface 50, a lower edge 57, a top edge 58 and side edges 55. Door 16 is preferably mounted to hull 10 using hinge 18. Hinge 18 may include one or more hinge mountings which pivot horizontally adjacent the lower edge 47 of opening 46. In this embodiment, door 16 can be selectively moved from an open position extending substantially horizontally below the waterline to a closed position flush against hull 10. Preferably, door 16 is configured to form a watertight seal between door 16 and hull 10 surrounding opening 46 when door 16 is closed.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2A, rear door 16 is lowered and raised by a standard movement system 19, such as by a winch, cable and pulley system. FIG. 2B illustrates an alternate embodiment of a movement system 19′ with a hydraulic piston and bell crank system mounted adjacent lower edge 47 of door 16 and hinge 18. When door 16 is lowered to the open position, the water level inside the compartment 20 and over the rear door 16 reaches equilibrium with sufficient depth to allow ingress and egress of a smaller watercraft 22. Depending on the watercraft and vessel, the depth can be measured in inches or feet. Watercraft 22 preferably has a shallow draft to minimize the necessary depth of floor 44 below the waterline. As illustrated in FIG. 5, various types of smaller watercraft 22 may be stored in compartment 20, including motorized launches for people, cargo or recreation and/or personal watercraft such as Wave Runners® and Jet Skis®.

[0026] To load a watercraft, the watercraft 22 is propelled into compartment 20 inside hull 10. The watercraft is oriented over its storage position and watertight door 16 is closed. After door 16 is closed, the water in the boathouse 20 is evacuated to lower the interior waterlevel. As the water is removed, the smaller watercraft 22 is lowered into its storage position of a contoured floor 24 or supports 25. The contoured floor surface 24 or supports 25 are designed to cradle the watercraft 22 without damage while the mother vessel is in use. Floor surface 24 may include a channel, or supports 25 may be separated, to allow clearance for a motorized launch's propeller and drive shaft. The watercraft 22 may then preferably be secured in place with lines or nets and stored in a dry condition until the next use.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment, pump 33 evacuates the water from compartment 20 through drain 32 and into storage tank 34. By maintaining the evacuated water within the hull of the vessel, the vessel's waterline relative to the surrounding water is maintained.

[0028] When it is desired to launch watercraft 22, the watercraft is first unsecured, if necessary, from its storage position. Pump 33 is then used to return the water in storage tank 34 into compartment 20, raising the interior water level to substantially the same level as the vessel's waterline. The raised interior water level floats watercraft 22 above its storage position on contoured floor 24 or supports 25. Door 16 is then opened and lowered to a horizontal position and the waterlines are allowed to reach equilibrium. Preferably door 16 and floor 24 are below the vessel's waterline at least a distance equal to the draft of watercraft 22. Watercraft 22 may then be propelled through opening 46 and out onto the surrounding water.

[0029] To avoid flooding the vessel, a portion of floor 44 is raised above the waterline. This can be a walkway 28 adjacent the interior end of compartment 20 (FIGS. 1-3). Walkway 28 can optionally extend towards the stern alongside the water area (FIG. 5) to allow access to opening 46 and for ease in loading and unloading watercraft 22. Preferably a watertight hatchway (not shown) separates compartment 20 from the remainder of the vessel to prevent water, such as from waves, from reaching beyond compartment 20.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a secondary use for compartment 20 and door 16 is as a swimming pool area and swimming platform. When door 16 is in its lowered position, interior surface 50 may serve as a swimming platform. Optionally, a railing or barrier 26 may be attached to door 16 around the periphery of the top edge 58 and side edges 55 to define a safe swimming area. Barrier 26 may be attached to door 16 by inserting posts into preformed holes or by any other convenient attachment mechanism. When the swimming area is not in use, barrier 26 is preferably stored in a designated location within hull 10, allowing door 16 to close flush with hull 10. Alternately, railing 26 may be inset from the top and side edges of door 16 so that railing 26 is received in opening 46 when door 16 is closed. In a further alternate preferred embodiment, door 16 could serve as a swimming platform mounted on a hull 10 independent of a compartment 20.

[0031] Railing 26 provides a safe demarcation of a swimming area with the shallow area of the pool over the platform despite that the vessel is in deep water. This is particularly beneficial when children are using the pool. Furthermore, if the railing 26 is designed in a sturdy manner, it can also serve as a protection from the intrusion of animals, such as sharks or jellyfish, into the pool area.

[0032]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate rear views of hull 10 in alternate preferred embodiments. One difficulty with prior designs of doors in hulls was the conventional propellers used to propel the vessels. The typical goal for a propeller was to mount it as close to the surface as possible to minimize the draft of the vessel. This conflicts with the present invention which mounts door 16 below the waterline a sufficient depth for the draft of smaller watercraft to clear the opening. For sufficiently large vessels, the door of the present invention may be mounted over propellers which are sufficiently deep; however, this is a less preferred alternative.

[0033] More preferred embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 6-7 with two impeller nozzles 38. FIG. 6 illustrates door 16 mounted above impeller nozzles 38, and FIG. 7 illustrates door 16 mounted between impeller nozzles 38. One example of such an impeller system is discussed in provisional patent application 60/236,071, which is hereby incorporated by reference and co-pending application Ser. No.______ While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garage for a hull of a marine vessel, comprising: a) a compartment defined within the hull, wherein said compartment has a floor below the waterline of the vessel and a ceiling above the waterline of the vessel; b) a door opening defined in the hull of the vessel and forming one side of said compartment, wherein said door opening has a lower edge below the waterline of the vessel and an upper edge above the waterline of the vessel; c) a door mounted to the vessel and configured to cover said door opening when in a closed position; and, d) at least one small boat storage position defined in said compartment.
 2. The garage of claim 1 further comprising a hinge connecting said door to the vessel.
 3. The garage of claim 2 wherein said hinge connects said door to the vessel along the lower edge of said door opening.
 4. The garage of claim 3 further comprising a barrier securable to the interior side of said door and configured to form a swimming barrier when said door is in an open position.
 5. The garage of claim 1 wherein said door is configured to form a watertight seal surrounding said door opening when said door is in a closed position.
 6. The garage of claim 1 further comprising a powered movement system coupled to said door for selectively opening and closing said door.
 7. The garage of claim 6 wherein said movement system comprises a winch and pulley extending from adjacent said upper edge of said door to adjacent said ceiling of said compartment.
 8. The garage of claim 6 wherein said movement system comprises a hydraulic piston and bell crank mounted adjacent said lower edge of said door and said lower edge of said door opening.
 9. The garage of claim 5 further comprising a drain defined in the floor of said compartment and a pump associated with said drain wherein said drain and pump are operable to evacuate water from said compartment.
 10. The garage of claim 9 further comprising a storage tank mounted within the hull of the vessel, wherein said storage tank is connected to said pump and configured to store water evacuated from said compartment.
 11. The garage of claim 9 further comprising supports disposed at said at least one small boat storage position wherein said supports are configured to secure a small boat when the water level in said compartment is lowered.
 12. The garage of claim 11 wherein said supports are molded into the floor of said compartment.
 13. The garage of claim 11 wherein said supports extend from the floor of said compartment.
 14. The garage of claim 11 wherein the hull of the vessel defines a stern area and said compartment is located adjacent the stem area of said hull.
 15. A method for unloading a smaller watercraft from a marine vessel into surrounding water, comprising the steps of: a) defining a compartment within the hull of the marine vessel, wherein said compartment has a floor which extends below a first waterline of the surrounding water and a ceiling above the first waterline of the surrounding water and wherein said compartment has a door opening defined in the hull of the vessel and forming one side of said compartment; b) providing a door mounted to the vessel and configured to selectively cover said door opening; c) providing a smaller watercraft in a storage position within said compartment; d) opening said door; e) allowing a second waterline within said compartment to become equal with the first waterline of the surrounding water; f) floating said smaller watercraft within said compartment; and, g) propelling said smaller watercraft from said compartment onto the surrounding water.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of pumping water into said compartment until the second waterline is substantially equal with the first waterline prior to opening said door.
 17. A method for loading a smaller watercraft from surrounding water onto a marine vessel, comprising the steps of: a) defining a compartment within a hull of the marine vessel, wherein said compartment has a floor which extends below a first waterline of the vessel at least at a depth equal to a draft of the watercraft, and wherein said compartment defines an opening in the hull of the vessel forming one side of said compartment; b) providing a door mounted to the vessel and configured to selectively cover said opening; c) propelling a smaller watercraft into said compartment; d) positioning said smaller watercraft over a storage location; e) closing said door to form a watertight seal surrounding said opening; f) evacuating water from said compartment to lower a second waterline within said compartment; and, g) securing said smaller watercraft in said storage location.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein said door in hingedly mounted to said vessel adjacent the floor of said compartment.
 19. The system of claim 17 wherein said door is initially in an open position and said smaller watercraft is propelled into said compartment over said door.
 20. The system of claim 17 further comprising the step of securing said smaller watercraft to stabilizing supports in said storage location.
 21. The system of claim 17 further comprising the step of storing the water evacuated from said compartment within the hull of the vessel.
 22. A swimming platform attached to a marine vessel, comprising: a) at least one horizontal hinge attached to a hull of the marine vessel below the waterline of the surrounding water; and, b) a substantially planar platform having a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, wherein said bottom edge is mounted to said at least one horizontal hinge, and wherein said platform is selectively movable from an open, substantially horizontal position below the waterline of the surrounding water to a closed position adjacent said hull.
 23. The swimming platform of claim 22 further comprising a barrier mountable to said platform adjacent said top edge and said side edges to define a swimming area over said platform.
 24. The swimming platform of claim 22 further comprising a compartment defined within said hull and defining a compartment opening adjacent to said swimming platform.
 25. The swimming platform of claim 24 wherein said platform is configured to form a watertight seal with said hull surrounding said compartment opening when said platform is in a closed position. 